Well that was intense! "The Geneva Watch Auction: Three" promised something special. Four hours of bidding, 137 lots, and 16.4 CHF later – roughly the same result as the Epic 88 Stainless Steel Chronographs auction – it delivered, with a trio of Patek Phillipe watches breaking the million dollar mark, a record-setting GMT-Master, and some interesting subplots, including the sale of Mr. Jean-Claude Biver's personal "King Biver."
The first sign this would be another memorable sale from Aurel Bacs came as early as the second lot of the evening. Number 102, a Rolex Explorer Super Precision 5500 fitted with an Air King case (33 mm instead of the standard 36 mm Explorer case) sold for CHF 28,750 – over three times its high estimate.
The Big Three
The story of the night was very much the number of watches that would break a million dollars. Lots 135, 160, and 214 combined for a whopping CHF 4.3 million.
The top lot of the night was lot 214, the yellow-gold Patek Philippe 2499. I must admit, this yellow 2499 "first series" is one of the most pristine 2449 "first series" I've seen – whatever the metal. It was purchased in the room by a young gentleman who's count of vintage watches just went up to one. Not a bad way to start a collection. Where do you even go from there?
Incredibly, the second highest winning bid of the day was not for a minute repeater, a calendar, nor even a chronograph, but for a lovely time-only. The exceptional reference 530 black dial Calatrava with Breguet numerals hammered in at CHF 1,445,000. Yes, that's almost $1.5 million for a time-only!
Closing this podium of Patek Phillipe wristwatches was, in fact, a repeating perpetual calendar reference 3974 that clocked in at CHF 1,181,000.
The Record Breaker
You're looking at the new record-holding GMT sold at auction. As it happens, you're also looking at the former record-holding GMT sold at auction. This reference 6542 with fully intact cognac brown-colored Bakelite bezel made a triumphant return to the auction scene, seven years after its last and record-breaking bow. It was the subject of an intense bidding war back then, which left the loser visibly sore. He was back in the room today, more eager then ever to get his hands on it, raising his paddle until the watch hit CHF 341,000. He left very happy.
The Khanjar Battle
One of the most interesting subplots of the evening was the battle of the Khanjars – wristwatches bearing the traditional dagger, commissioned by the Sultan Of Oman. There were four: two yellow-gold Rolexes, one 6265 and one 1680; and two Gerald Genta designs. In the end, it was the white crowned Jumbo Nautilus that took it, narrowly edging the 6265 at CHF 605,000.
Our Picks
How did our team's picks fare? Pretty well in the end. While our goal was not to predict the lots that would perform the best against their estimates, it's always interesting to follow a lot from the first public preview, all the way to "hammer time." Cara's "Azure Stella" starting things off nicely, hitting its high estimate at CHF 70,000.
Jack Forster was also spot on. He called this minute repeating pocket watch from Patek Philippe "absolutely, positively, the watch to bid on in this auction," for sheer horological value. Well, it was quick to reach and surpass its high estimate of CHF 18,000, and bidding continued (though it slowed down past the CHF 20K). The winning bid was CHF22,500.
If I'm honest, I was hoping my own pick, the "Black Stelline" star dial reference 6062, would break Patek Philippe's stronghold on the podium. I certainly expected it to reach its high estimate. Neither happened. Bidding settled just short of the seven-figure mark at CHF 905,000 – perhaps because collectors were told during previews that the moon phase is a manufacture-made replacement. Perhaps also, because, despite the rarity of black dial variations of the 6062, the majority of collectors prefer the more common white dial variation.
Other Notable Lots
Lot 166, a dazzling 18k yellow-gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16568 with diamonds, sold for CHF 329,000 – triple its high estimate.
Lot 158, the penultimate platinum F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain in platinum, sold for CHF 161,000.
Lot 159, the limited edition A. Lange & Söhne "Pour le Mérite" platinum tourbillon with chain fusée and power reserve, sold for CHF 269,000.
Lot 111, a 6241 – one of the rarest references of all Cosmograph Daytona models – with a gorgeous "Copper Tone" dial, sold for CHF 185,000.
Lot 106, a rare underline double Swiss Rolex Submariner 5513, sold for CHF 137,000.
Lot 109, the rare Rolex Anti-Magnetique 4768, made a strong case for two-tone watches, selling for CHF 233,000.
Lot 131, a rare stainless-steel anti-magnetic Patek Philippe 3417, ca. 1958, also performed strongly, going for almost double its pre-sale estimate, at CHF 65,000.
For all the results from the auction, click here.
To follow all the action from Geneva in real-time, check out HODINKEE Live.
No comments:
Post a Comment